Michelle Obama says “We have every right to demand that the men in our lives do better by us.” Watch this excerpt from our former First Lady’s speech in Michigan, get inspired, and start those difficult conversations with your neighbors, your family and your friends. TIME IS SHORT!
For many of us, the most difficult vote to cast is a vote for a judge. Ironically, no other elected officer can have such a direct and crucial impact on our lives. Think for a minute: Who has the ultimate control over your divorce or your parental rights? Who makes the final decision if you’re the victim of a crime or accused of one? Who allows you to adopt a child, and who sorts out the estate of a loved one who passes away without a will? In every case, it’s going to be a judge.
Despite the great importance of electing wise, impartial judges to our courts, it’s hard to find reliable information — or even any information — about judges who are up for election and retention. But never fear! The Illinois State Bar Association has got your back. Each election year the ISBA compiles evaluations for each judge appearing on your ballot. They provide ratings for each judge; one rating given by a committee of evaluators and one rating determined by surveying attorneys who have worked directly with each judge.
The judges on your ballot have mostly received good ratings from the committee and from their colleagues, with two big exceptions — Jason Helland, who’s running against Justice Linda Davenport, and John Costello, Jr., running against Justice Lance Peterson. Judge Costello refused to participate in the evaluation process and therefore the ISBA was unable to recommend him. Judge Helland, on the other hand, received a great deal of negative feedback from attorneys who have worked with him. Take a look! Nearly half of the 178 attorneys who responded found that Judge Helland didn’t have the legal ability to meet the requirements of his job. Ouch.
If we were Judge Helland’s employers, we might decide to fire him. Oh wait — we ARE his employers! Hmm. Read about him and all the other judges on your ballot at the Illinois State Bar Association.
For your enjoyment and enlightenment: not one, but TWO political debates this week! Tonight, of course, it’s JD Vance and Tim Walz live on your TV. Tomorrow night features Democratic candidates Brad Popurella (BC State’s Attorney) and Lexi Wamhoff (BC Coroner) debating their Republican opponents live and in person at the Princeton Moose Lodge.
In preparation for what will undoubtedly be a rip-roaring debate, consider this juicy description from the New Yorker Magazine:
J. D. Vance rose to national prominence in 2016 by writing about the experiences of his local life and understanding how to sell them to a national audience. Vance’s local credibility has enabled him to become a national menace. Rather than embracing a dual identity—the man who is just as proud to be a product of Ohio as he is a creature of Washington—he can pit the two places against each other because he knows both well enough to do so.
Walz appeals to rural voters because he is rural, but he also appeals to many other voters in places outside the largest metropolitan areas, because his life is locally oriented, like theirs. His local life seems central to his view of the world: during his speech at the Democratic National Convention last month, he talked about “neighbors” eight different times.
Vance has the anger that comes from a person divided against himself. Walz has the joy that comes from a person relishing that he can be both the local figure he’s always been and the national figure who he currently is.
The debate begins at 8:00 pm on CBS. Just for fun, download this VP Debate Bingo Card courtesy of Yahoo! News and USA Today.
Join Democratic candidates Lexi Wamhoff and Brad Popurella as they debate their Republican opponents! Lexi has served as Bureau County Coroner since February of this year and is running to retain the job. Brad Popurella, who was recently admitted to the bar of the United States Supreme Court, is running for the office of Bureau County State’s Attorney.
The debate will be held tomorrow, October 2 at the Princeton Moose Lodge, 1339 N. Euclid Avenue in Princeton beginning at 6:00 pm. Support these great candidates by attending this important event!
For the first time since 2014, your ballot will include three non-binding advisory questions. This is the maximum number of advisory questions allowed by Illinois law. Here are the questions, along with a brief explanation of what your “yes” or “no” vote will mean.
ILLINOIS ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE ADVISORY QUESTION
A "yes" vote supports advising state officials on whether to provide for medically assisted reproductive treatments, including in vitro fertilization, to be covered by any health insurance plan in Illinois that provides full coverage to pregnancy benefits.
A "no" vote opposes advising state officials on whether to provide for medically assisted reproductive treatments, including in vitro fertilization, to be covered by any health insurance plan in Illinois that provides full coverage to pregnancy benefits.
ILLINOIS PENALTIES FOR CANDIDATE INTERFERENCE WITH ELECTION WORKER’S DUTIES ADVISORY QUESTION
A "yes" vote supports advising state officials on whether to establish civil penalties if a candidate interferes or attempts to interfere with an election worker's official duties.
A "no" vote opposes advising state officials on whether to establish civil penalties if a candidate interferes or attempts to interfere with an election worker's official duties.
ILLINOIS INCOME TAX ADVISORY QUESTION
A "yes" vote supports advising state officials on whether to amend the Illinois Constitution to create an additional 3% tax on income greater than $1 million for the purpose of dedicating funds to property tax relief.
A "no" vote opposes advising state officials on whether to amend the Illinois Constitution to create an additional 3% tax on income greater than $1 million for the purpose of dedicating funds to property tax relief.
This election is important. It’s going to be close. And it’s coming sooner than you think! If you’re planning to vote early, it’s almost time to cast your vote. If you’d like to vote by mail, you can request your mail-in ballot now. Use this handy schedule to make sure your voice is heard and your vote is counted!
Most of us have watched parts of the DNC convention in Chicago. But honestly — it was A LOT. So just in case you missed these three fine, inspiring and energizing speeches, here’s a recap. Take a few minutes to watch Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Reverend Al Sharpton and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as they deliver speeches that brought down the house.
According to newly-minted VP candidate Tim Walz, Kamala Harris has brought the joy back into this campaign. We have to agree! If you haven’t yet seen their first appearance together, do it now, courtesy of WFAA in Dallas. It will make your day.
Need even more inspiration? Check out Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s barn-burner speech at the same rally. This one isn’t to be missed either.
Sorry. But we are in the middle of an epic train wreck and we all need to know exactly what our country will look like if Donald Trump is elected in November. In other words, even if you can’t find a candidate to vote for, there are plenty of things to vote against – and many of them are contained in the monstrous document called “Project 2025 Presidential Transition Project.”
So. Grab your aspirin bottle and put on some soothing music. We’re going to break down Project 2025 so you don’t have to read it. Let’s start with a few “highlights.”
Removing overtime protections for millions of workers across the country.
Denying government student loans to any state that has offered in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants.
Promoting discrimination in education, health care and the workplace by eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and rolling back the rights of LGBTQ+ people.
Privatizing Medicare and putting strict limits on Medicaid.
Completely eliminating the US Department of Education.
Oh, friends – there’s so much more. Get the full overview at the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism and The People’s Guide to Project 2025. For a slightly deeper dive, check out The Far-Right Playbook for American Authoritarianism.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
Martin Luther King Jr.
TOMORROW the Bureau County Board’s Law Committee will meet in the boardroom to create a resolution that would restrict any immigrant presence and in essence, make Bureau County a NON-SANCTIONARY COUNTY.
Republicans are expecting a large crowd to attend the meeting in support of this cruel resolution. If you believe that immigrants should be treated with dignity and respect, please come to this meeting and voice your support!
The meeting is tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb 6 at 5:00 pm at the Bureau County Courthouse, Boardroom.
Believe it or not, our elected judges have a deep and wide impact on our lives. Family issues, landlord/tenant disputes, financial problems and criminal activity — all these might bring you to court. And once there, you want a judge with wisdom and compassion to hear your case.
Following are the Democratic judges who will be on your ballot this March:
3rd Appellate Court:
There are three open seats. All three seats were filled by Illinois Supreme Court appointments in 2022. Those seats are now up for election.
For the seat of Justice Mary K. O’Brien:
Linda Davenport (incumbent, unopposed)
For the seat of Justice Daniel L. Schmidt:
Lance Peterson (incumbent, unopposed)
For the seat of Justice Tom M. Lytton:
John Anderson
Joe Hettel (incumbent)
13th Judicial Circuit Court:
Geno Caffarini (current 13th Judicial Circuit Court Judge for Bureau County)
FEDERAL
President/Vice President: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
14th US Congress: Lauren Underwood
STATE
76th IL Representative:
105th IL Representative: Morgan Phillips
LOCAL
Circuit Clerk: Dawn Reglin (Incumbent)
State's Attorney: Brad Popurella
Coroner: Alexandria "Lexi" Wamhoff
County Board (all incumbents)
Deb Feeney CB #1
Robert "Bob" McCook CB #2
Ronald "Tom" Dobrich CB #13
